How Close Has Hoda Come to Attacking Kathie Lee?

By Rob Shuter Posted Oct 8th 2010 11:00AM

Hoda Kotb is one charismatic, smart and patient lady, but I don't need to tell you that. Just watch the fourth hour of the 'Today' show, which the decorated journalist co-hosts with Kathie Lee Gifford, on any given day. What you may not know is that before she was trading zingers and sippin' cocktails on-air with KLG, Hoda spent years covering wars and overcoming personal trials like breast cancer. She opens up big time in her fabulously-titled book, 'Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee,' out Oct. 12. Check out my funny chat with Hoda, where she talks about KLG's reaction to the book title and cracks wise about a "torrid affair" with Willard Scott.

What surprised you while writing the book?
How fast I had to do it! My book agent said, "You'd better hurry up and get writing because you don't know how long that show of yours is going to last."

Is there anything you didn't put in the book? Why?
The way I got my job on the 'Today' show: my torrid affair with Willard Scott. Why leave it out? Because it's nobody's business.

What does KLG think of the amazing title?
I sprung it on her during a wine-soaked lunch. She loved it -- after the third glass of Chardonnay.

How close have you gotten to attacking KLG?
I am saving it for Pay-Per-View. We are in negotiations now.

What do you think about those riotous 'SNL' sketches of you and KLG?
Spot on! Why do our producers keep faxing our exact scripts over to 'SNL'? Kristin Wiig is a dead ringer for KLG ... but please God don't let Keenan play me this season.

The 'Today' show family seems very close, who are best friends off camera?
I saw Meredith and Al making out in the greenroom ... so I guess they are.

What's the most embarrassing thing KLG has ever done to you?
I have an idea -- tune in tomorrow and see for yourself.

You meet a ton of celebs. Give us a little secret dish. Who was a love bug and who was a nightmare?
Richard Simmons. He was both, and at the end of the day I think he'd agree.

Have you ever gone to see a movie because of Cody's review?
I'd like to, but I am always at a Broadway show with Kathie Lee.

Who at the 'Today' show spends the most time in the mirror?
Willard Scott.

What celeb would you most like to kiss?
Eduardo Verastegui. Google him! So worth it.

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Tags: hoda kotb, kathie lee gifford, today show

Comments

(105)

Sunday 10 October

By Dianne Wasson

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Don't you realize that this is what "MAKES" the show?? Both of these girls are great & the fact that they were willing to go on national T.V. WITHOUT makeup says alot for their character.They each have talent.

By Bud A Man

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Da,
I also asked about the "Affair" Lie !!!

By Coop

Who cares? They're both so messed up, who really cares? Skank 1 or Skank 2, they both make me puke. Aol must be bored as hell to even run crap like this. But that's what AOL thrives on. Such a shame...

By chicobombico

The fact they are both useless. The whole show is made uo of useless people Al, Matt, etc. The only one they should keep is Ann Curry. FIRE THE REST ALL USELESS.

By Nrob

I always thought that "Hoda" creature was a male????? If it's a female it's got a serious case of the uglies

By haroldlynn

Aaron Carter is muscular, what a joke. He looks like a knotted up clothesline. He has the face of a crack abuser. Eat him up girls, he is all yours.

By jdg

i cant stand hoda!!!!! she needs to stay focused on news reporting, since she makes a terrible effort to want the audience to like her!!!! she needs to talk about her life, not those of others, esp her niece!!! have your own children, then talk about them. lastly, i love klg, she has earned her place on talk show. I have watched the today show religiously since I went to college in the 1990's. I do not watch the last hour of the today show due to the bad match of hoda and klg. Just make it the KLG Show!!!

By richdiane

I love the 4th hour of the today show. KLG & HODA make the perfect hosts.

Hoda can not stop laughing at KLG. She should not even get paid she has so much fun

By Shirley Howell

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I feel sorry for both of them. They are over it. Especially KLG. She has made herself seem so cheap by talking about drinking wine so much. She seems to be doing a lot of drinking and that brings her down. At one time she professed to be a Christian. I don't respect her as I once did. She has been through a lot with her husband, and I guess she is trying to prove herself as she ages. Gracefully would be better!

By GET WITH IT, NBC

BOTH NEED TO GO AWAY. KATHY LEE IS STILL ONE OF THE MOST ANNOYING ON-AIR PEOPLE EVER. THIS HOUR-LONG SHOW FILLED WITH BORING SEGMENTS AND THE SAME OL' THING FOR YEARS.

NBC DAYTIME.. C'MON. GET A SHOW THAT'S MORE EXCITING, FUN, INFORMATIVE, WITH FRESH, YOUNG TALENT AND NEW PRODUCERS. IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THE FACE OF DAYTIME T-V FOR THE BETTER, THE WAY DAYTIME USED TO BE WHEN PEOPLE ACTUALLY WATCHED.

NBC: NO BODY CARES; NOTHING BUT CONFUSION.

By lindam

You all are just jealous, they look better than you, make more money than you, and live better than you.

By zippy boobay

I dont like either one of them .
personally i think cathy lee is a nice person but on the show she is a big showoff bigmouth and not funny and the same goes for Hoda - Hoda - what kind of stupid name is that? the show is kind of boring

By Lilliam

Talking about stupid names you should talk zippy boobay!

Monday 11 October

By malia

Krankie Mee's so smarmy. Can't understand why Hoda wants to sit next to her every day. As with Phegis, these shows don't need Krackie Mee anyway. A cohost always is 10000% better every day of the year. When Phoegis is gone, I enjoy 'Live with _cohost of the day and Kelly. When Krappy Mee's gone I can stomach that 11th hour on Today.

By twinks

can't stand KLG won't even watch show because of her and on Regis the same all about her and her old husband and perfect kids well shse thinks so go away KLG Hoda, give her a punch for me......

By MsJune

I am also 57 and after seeing KLG without makeup, I feel better
about myself!!!!

By Rosemary

Love Hoda but KathyLeeGifford always wants to interupt Hoda. She needs a new hair cut and some updated clothes for the show. No informatiion about the kids on or off t.v. Please enough already. Keep the home life at home,please. Get a real make over with Louis Lacari, espesially the hair,cut it.

By H

"Kota Kotb"?? What couple of twits they both are. And that name...isn't that the name of a Japanese Chimpanzee?
Neither person is worthwhile for anything nor do they have any redeeming journalistic talent.
Wish they would both just go away.

By Sonjay

I like Hoda and the way she brings the news and entertainment together. I like her even better when she has a male co- host. She is a beautiful bless lady.

By Laura

Love Hoda, can't stand Kathie Lee, she loves to hear herself talk non stop. I wished someone would teach her how to let other people, especially Hoda, finish a sentence

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